Man Tasered for resisting police

Springfield police used a Taser on a 48-year-old man who allegedly refused to be handcuffed and put in the back of a squad car Sunday night.

According to a police report, officers responded to a home in the 2100 block of South Wirt Avenue about 9:30 p.m. after Anthony K. Johnsonís wife called 911.

The report said dispatchers could overhear Johnson yelling to his wife that he would kill her before police arrived.

The couple had gotten into a fight in which Johnson allegedly pushed her on the ground and punched the closet door several times, putting large holes in it.

When the coupleís daughter intervened, Johnson, who weighs 290 pounds, reportedly threw her on the bed.

When two officers showed up at the home, the woman and the coupleís five children ran outside hysterical. Johnson followed and said he wanted to talk to officers before his wife could.

When an officer approached Johnson, the report said, he ran back inside and slammed the door. Officers tried to get inside, but Johnson allegedly refused to cooperate.

Authorities Tasered Johnson and were able to get his left arm handcuffed.

He continued to struggle with police, ramming one officer into the side of the house with his shoulder, the report said. Johnson eventually settled down after backup arrived and was placed in the squad car.